Hydraulic power device



Dec. 2,'1930. w. R. MORRISl HYDRAULIC POWER DEVICE Filed Match '7, 19286 Sheets-Sheet 2 uvm.

NvENToR A "5R/Horns ATTORNEY Dec. 2, 1930.

w. R. MORRIS f HYDRAULIC PowEn DEVICE Filed March '7. 1928 6Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR l/.fj .4401311.52 .BY

Q40' ATTORNEY w. R. MORRIS HYDRAULIC POWER DEVICE Filed March 7, 1928 6Sheets-Sheet 4 arf-f xNvENToR MRA/Zoppas. BY

ATTORNEY 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 HYDRAULIC P'OWER DEVICE Filed March '7, 1928VlilL 9 Dec. 2, 1930.'

INVENTOR MOP/'216'. BY

A 7,7, ATTORNEY Dec. 2, 1930.

w. R. MORRIS HYDRAULIC POWER DEVICE 6 'Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 7,1928 INVENTOR /B/gMmw'w.

ATTORNEY I sections in position on a shaft,

' Patented Dec. 2, 1930 UNITED;- STATES PATENT oFFlrcla:f

WELLEAM R. MORRIS, F FMRFIELD, IDAHO, ASSIGNOR VOF VONZE-HALF TOROBEII-fl HENRY MORRIS .AND ONE-HALF, TO RAYMOND GUY MORRIS, BOTHOFBOISE, IDAHO HYDRAULIC POWER DEVICE This invention relates toimprovements in hydraulic power devices generally, and more 1particularly to a typeofv such `devices for the utilizing of the powerfrom the current of flowing streams.

The principal object of the'nvention is to provide for a mechanismadapted to be installed in a flowing stream, or at a fall of such astream, as the case may be, for vthe will permit it to operate athighest efliciency in translating the force and pressure ofthe currentor fall of a stream into mechanical power to be delivered from themechanism driven thereby for general power purposes.

YWith the foregoingand other equally important objects in View, theinvention resides in the certain new `and useful combinations,constructions and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter morefullydescribed, set forth in the appended claims, and illustrated intheaccompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is aside elevation of apreferred embodiment of a horizontal type of the invention, 't j Y' iFigure 2 is atop plan view thereof," Figure 3 is an end elevationof thesame, Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional detail of one of themotorelevating mechanisms, t

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross'lsectional view through one ofv theimpeller shafts,

' l showing a means for securing certain of the` y 1 p Y fjframemembers-23, and below these, in simi-l lar. relation, are lower sideframe members 24. Y

impeller' blades inposition thereon. Y

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the twopart means orbracketsemployedfor securing pairs of adjacent impeller blade Figure isan enlarged'fragmentary detail in elevation, of the means'employed forsecuring adjacent' ledge portions of the imessere AppiieationfiledjMareh 7, 1928.` seriaiNo, 259,886. Y

impeller bladev attaching bracket sections,

Figure 10 is a fragmentary side view of a porti-on of an impeller shaft,showing the manner of` securing Va Aset of the'bracket sections inposition thereon and the-angular disposition of` the impeller bladescarried thereby,

i'Figure l y11 is aside elevation ofone of the thrustbearings of theimpeller shafts,

Figure 12 is ak longitudinal section taken i on the line 12-,12of Figure11,

Figure 13 is4 an end elevation of the thrust bearing aforesaid,

of a single im- Figure 14 is aside elevaton of a fragmeni Vtary portionvof one of the impeller shafts,

ing parts ythroughout the several'views ther'e-V of, and ,moreparticularly to Figures llto 10, inclusive, and Figure'l'fi, the device,general'- ly, as shown therein, comprises a main supporting frame madeup'- of corner supports 20,'eachconsisting ofraV plurality of vgroupedangle members or posts Vonthe innerrends of which are supported thecomplementalends pairs of horizontally disposed spaced parallellongitudinal side frame members 21, and similarly disposed pairs ofvtransverse end frame members 22. Extending parallelv toand belowtheinner of the lupper of the side frame members-21 are intermediate side.

Also, below theinnermost of the upper end frame members 22 are lower,parallel end tei-mediate and lower frame members 21, 22 and 23 at theopposite sides of the frame are connected together by medially arrangedand vertically disposed frame members 26, and the intermediate and lowerof these side frame members 22 and 23 are further connected together byvertically disposed frame members 27 arranged media-lly between theoppositely disposed corner posts 20, and the intermediate vertical framemembers 26. Also, extending between the upper and lower horizontal endframe members 22 and 25 and connecting the same at points mediallythereon is a vertically disposed frame member 28. Secured to the uppersides of the end portions of the pairs of upper end and side framemembers 2l and 22 in line with the corner supports or posts 2() arerectangular plates 29, which act to securely brace and strengthen theadjacent parts together. The several corner `)ost units 2O and theintermediate vertical side and end frame niembers 26, 27 and 28 aresecurely interbraced by diagonally arranged crossed members or bars 3l),substantially as shown. `The corner post units 20 are preferablysupported on concrete piers or the like 3l, built upon or embedded inthe bed of a stream.

Mounted within this main supporting frame aforesaid is a vertically7movable or adjustable frame consisting of oppositely arranged verticalend or corner and intermediate side members or posts 32 and 33, whichare connected together attheir upperand lower ends by horizontallydisposed upper and lower endend side frame members or bars 34 and 35respectively, the corner and intermediate vertical members or posts 32and 33, at the opposite sides of the frame, being suitably interbracedby diagonally arranged cross members or bars 36. Projecting outwardly atthe opposite sides of this frame, immediately adjacent theopposite endsof the upper side members or bars 34 thereof, are hangers or supportingeyes 37, which eX- tend into channels formed by the spacing of certainof the angled elements of the corner post units 20, of the mainsupporting frame, for engagementen the lower ends of screw shafts 38,'which depend into the said channels through the corner plates 29 at theupper ends of the corner posts 20. Each of the upper screw threaded endsof the shafts 38 are engaged in the complementally threaded axial boreof a `gear or worm wheel 39, which is retained in position on the upperside of the corner plate 29 with which it is associated by an overlyingcage or spider 40 secured on the latter for the purpose. The

' vertically adjustable or movable frame is supopenings formed centrallyof the cages or spiders 40.

To effect the raising and lowering adjustments of the movable innerframe manually from Aany one corner of the main or stationary frame,each of the worm gears or wheels 39 are disposed in mesh withcomplemental screw elements or gears 4l keyed on the opposite ends oflongitudinally extending shafts 42 journalled in bearings 43 at theopposite sides of the main frame, which shafts 42 have their extremeopposite end portions, beyond the screw elements or gears 4l, providedwith liand cranks 44. Immediately inward of the hand cranks 44 at oneend of the motor frame, the shafts 42 are also provided with pulleys orsprockets 45, which are operatively connected together by means of abelt or chain 4G, so that rotary movement of one of the shafts 42 willbe transmitted to the other thereof, so that, when any one or more ofthe several hand cranks 44 are manipulated, the vertical screw shafts 38will be rotated correspondingly to raise and lower the movable frame.

The adjustable or movable frame provided witli a pair of longitudinallyextending parallel impeller shafts 47 and 48, each of whichl has itsrearor up-stream end journalled in a suitable bearing 49 carried by` oneof the intermediate frame members or cross bars 50, disposedhorizontally of the front and rear ends of the movable frame, and itsforward or down-stream end ournalled in a thrust bearing 5l, which ismounted at the inner side of the other of the intermediate frame membersor cross bars 50 at the front end of the frame.

Each of the impeller shafts 47 and 48 are provided with a series ofblades or vanos which are preferably arranged in sets, one set forwardlyand one rearwardly of centrally disposed frame members or cross oars 53cn- Atending transversely of the movable frame. The several blades orvanes 52 of each set are also preferably arranged in pairs, and eachblade r Avane is preferably semi-circular in shape, and the two bladesof each pair are disposed in angular relation one with respect to theother and have their lateral edge portions arranged to overlap eachother, as at 54, and are secured together at the points of such overlap,as shown in Figures 7 and 8, by means of bolts or the like 55 passingthrough the portions thereof and through angular.' clamping elements orcollars 5G. These blades or vanes `52 are each j nreferably cut toapproximately one-third or slightly greater than one-.third of thediameter of the rotor or wheel to be formed by the assembly of each setof the same, which diameter is defined bv the arc of curvature of theperipheral edA thereof. As shown, three pairs of bla-.fles or ranes 52are preferably employed in each set to form a complete rotor or wheelsection or lOl) Y ao

unit, as a specic example of-this lparticular form ofthepresent"invention,- but itis vto be understood that the number oftheindik vidual blades or `vanesin'ay be other thanthe paired arrangementofthe saine and that a greater or a lesser number of the saine may beused inV a rotor or wheel section or unit. These blades or vanes l52 ofeach pair thereof are mounted in position on the -shafts 47 and v48 inreversed angular Vrelation,preferably between 28 to 32 degrees out ofthe perpendicular, sothat the lateral edges of adjacent blades or v-anesof'each pair overlap and their opposite edges arespaced apart, theopenings formed by ,the spaces between theselatter edges of each pairthereof being disposed out ofvaligninent at distancesapproximatingone-third of the circumference of the circle defined by theperipli'eraledges of thelsame.

The blades orvanes 52 are securedin position on the shafts 47 and 48 bymeansof two part castings formed to provide hubV portions 57, andangularly disposed flanges portions 58. As shown in Figures 6, 9 and10,`the hub portions 57 of the castings are provided with laterallydisposed apertured ears or lugs 59, which are secured together by meansof bolts or the like when properly, positioned on the shafts 47 and 48.Theiiange-581ofthehub portion'? of one casting will beof reversedangular relation to that of the hub `portion of the other of thecastings, `,so that the blades or vanes 52`will be ang-ularly positionedcorrespondingly and ashereinbeforeexplained. These castings overlapattheir flanged ends, so that when the blades or vanes 52 are bolted ontothem, Ythey set about lto 2 degrees oif Y of right .angular relationwith the shafts 47 and 48',` als-will be evident when the' centers ofthe flangesare vertical. It will be understood that While tandem` ordouble sets of the blades or vanes 52 'are shown on each 47 and 48, onlyone or more than'the Vtwo sets,

so illustrated, may be' employed, vdepending upon the power vthat itis'desired to develop. The completed assemblies of the Asets of bladesor venes 52 on the shafts 47 and 48 arepreferablyVV arrangedto causerarotation' of one of the shafts'in a" directionopposite lto the Power isto be taken from'each of the 4rotor or wheel sliafts47 and 48 by ineensofa worin gear 60 (Figurel) keyed `on the saineand arranged in'ineshwith 'a V'similar gearl-carried at the lower end 'of a'vertical shaft-V62,

'which carries atits upper endabeveled gear 163-y disposed in mesh,initurn,with Va comple'- Y mentally beveled gear 64,`leyed on the .outerend ofl a transversely and horizontallyvdis vvposedshaft sectionjournalled in suitable `bearings carried cn upper cross members 66 ofthe'vertically movable er' adjustable frame of the device.V The innerend of each shaft section 65 carries abeveled gear 67 `commenly meshingwitli a bevel-led gear 68 keyed on a vboxing 74. As shown in Figure 4,the adjustable boxes or journals 74,'Vof the vworin gears 60 4and 6l onthe impeller shafts 47 and 48, are supporte-jd from a pair of spacedparallel bars or beams supported trans# versely ofthe upper side ofthemovable frame by means of hangers or theV like 76 --f which carry ahorizontally extending supporting bar or member 77 at their lower ends,

while the upper ends ofthe vertical shaft sections 62, carrying the wormgears 61 at` their lower ends, are journalled at their upper end f; i

portions in vbearings 7 8 carried at the outer sides of heavy supportcastings 7 9 mounted on the upper ysides of the transversecross membersorbars 7 5. These support castings Y Y Feo 79 are` preferablyU-shaped-in side elevation, and are provided with adjustable bearings 80at the upper ends oftheir oppositeleg portions for the journallingtherein of thehori- Zontal shaft sections 65. Thejbearings 70 for theforwarder down-stream end ofthe 41" vpower shaft 73iscarried atztheupper end of an arm or ,bracket'securedA to andj between vthe bearingcastings 79, a-s"is'clearly shown 'in Figure 3;

' As shown in Figures 11, 12' and 13, this No thrustbearing 5l consistsof the two cylindrical half sections 81 and 82, which'are'provided withannular attaching flangesS and 84 respectively, attheir opposite outerends. The two sections' 8l and 82 are in the forniV of hollow bodiesopen at their opposed ends, and housed Vwithin each Vsection are a pairof oppositelystepped v orshouldered bearing sections 85 and-86,the-opposite stepped or shoulderedfportions of'which are formed to .fprovide annular grooves `to seatwithin and `'between the same aseries ofball bearings 87 After the stepped orshoulderedfportions85 and 86 areplaced in position, the open ends of the sections Sland 82 are closed byplates l v 88. Thesel plates 88 are apertured at their centers andthezopposed faces of the bearing sections 86 Vvare recessed `inrli'nelwiththese openings, sothat a single ball bearing 89 is seated intheopenings and recesses in a manner to maintain the sections 8l and 82` inslightly "spaced relation, substantially as shown.y The linner bearingsections-85 are i Vopen at their centers to seat within the same Vthereduced ends of the bearing sections 86,

and interposed between these reduced ends .of the latter section and theend wallsof the hollow sections 8l and 82'are cushioning ele- 1 ments90. The/cushioning effect of these elements 90 is augmented by theVprovision fill of an annular groove 91 in the opposed end face of thereduced end portions of each of the bearing sections 86 and of openings92 leading to atmosphere outwardly of the end walls of the hollowsections 81 and 82. Suitable lubricating devices 93 are provide-d oneach hollow section 81 and 82 for supplying a lubricant to the bearingsections and 86, and the ball rods therebetween. A bearing plate 94 isbolted or otherwise secured at the outer end of the front section 81,and has a central enlargement 95, which is recessed to receive theforward or down-stream end of one of the impellcr shafts 47 and 48, ashereinbefore indicated.V The opening or duct 90, leading from the frontend wall of the bearing section 81 is aligned with a similar opening orduct formed in the bearing plate 94, which, in turn, opens into theinner wall of the recess aforesaid, substantially as shown.

In operating the motor, the stationary frame of the, same is set on thepiers 81 in the bed of a stream, and preferably in a manner that theadjustable frame will lift the impellers out of the path of the currentwhen in its elevated position. When itis ydesired to deliver power fromthe pulley 7 3, the adjustable frame will be lowered, by manipulatingthe hand cranks 44 in proper direction of rotation for the purpose, anduntil the impellers are submerged, or partially submerged, to a depthsufficient to develop the required power. When submerged to the lowestdepth permissible by the lower limit of movement of the movable frame,the motor will develop maximum power, as will be readily-apparent, andthe amount of the power will be varied correspondingly with the raisingand lowering of the adjustable frame to submerge the rotors or wheels toa greater or lesser degree. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in lieu of handpower being applied to the raising and lowering mechanism ofthe movableframe, power from the motor itself, or from any other source, may beapplied to one of the longitudinal shafts 42 for the operation of themechanism, by any suitable means, such as the sprocket and chain driveor the like 9G, when the other shaft 42 will be driven in a reverseddirection through Jthe crossed belt or chain connection 46 at the rearor Lip-stream end of the motor.

Referring now to Figures 15 and 16, whereinl is shown a vertical type ofthe hydraulic motor, one or more cylindrical caissons or pensccks 97,*,ireferablj.T of heavy sheet material suitably reinforced interiorlyand eXteriorly by means of an angle iron framing or the like 98, areprovided, and have their lower ends supported on a horizontal iron framework 99, which, in turn, is supported on a concrete or masonryfoundation 100. Formed in this foundation 100 are outer spillways 101and 102 and an intermediate spillway 108, the latl ter being common tothe lower open ends of the caissons 97, when two of the same areVemployed. These spillways 101, 102 and 103 are preferably lined withcylindrical or semicylindrical casings 104, also of heavy sheet metal toprotect the concrete or masonry structure of the foundation from theusual wea-r and tear of the force of water passed downwardly of thecaissons or penstocks 97, and discharged into the several spillways.

The intermediate portions of the foundation 100, lying between thespillways 101, 102 and 103, are disposed diametrically of the lower endsof the caissons or penstocks 97 to assure of the solid and substantialsupport to the corresponding portions of the frame work 98.` Securedinposition on these supported portions of the framework 98, andcentrally within the lower ends of the caissons or penstocks 97, arethrust bearings 51', as hereinbefore described in detail, and thesebearings are housed within water-tight casings 106. Rising centrallywithin' the caissons or pcnstocks 97 are impeller shafts 107, each ofwhich have their lower end portions journalled in apertured bosses 108,formed in the upper sides of the casings 106, and their eXtreme lowerends engaged in the supporting sockets of the upper end portions of thethrust bearings 51. The inner or lower sides of the apertures of thebosses 108 are counterbored to receive a packing to surround theinserted end of the shafts 107, which is held in place and under properpressure by follow plates or the like 109 removably secured in positionby means of bolts or the like as shown.

Each of the shafts 107 are provided with a set of propeller blades orvanes 110, of heavy sheet metal, which are preferably cut, as in thefirst instance of the invention, to segmental form of an arc slightlygreater than vone-third of the total circumference of a circle definedby their radius, or say to approximately one-hundred and twenty-fourdegrees (124), and each set of the same will preferably be made up ofany desired number of sections or groups of three blades or vanes each.Special three part casings 111, of similar construction to the castings57 of the previously described form of the invention, will be secured onthe shafts 107, with the ianged portions of each part angularly disposedto symmetrically locate the blades or vanes of each section or group inthe same plane about the shafts. The several sections or groups ofblades or vanes 110 of each set of the same are positioned on the shafts107 in a manner that adjacent edge portions of adjacent sections orgroups will overlap, as at 112, and these portions will be securedtogether, after the manner of the similarly overlapping portions of theblades or vanes 52 of the rst form of the invention. By this arrangementof the three'blades or vanes in each section or group thereof, thecombined areas of the same will CII The upper end vportionsof the shafts10'?k are journalled in suitable bearings 113 forming of castings 114,which are secured on the upper sides of horizontal frame members 115,and are provided at their eXtreme upper ends, above the bearings 118,with bevel gears 116 arranged in mesh with similar gears 117 keyed on apowerv transmitting shaft 118. This shaft 118 is journalledin"horizontally alined bearings 119 carried at the upper sides of thecastings 114, and at the upper ends of standard castings 120 rising fromthe opposite ends-of the upper hori-Y zontal framing members 115. Theopposite ends of the power shaft 118 preferably have fly wheels 121keyed thereon at the outer sides of the bea-ring supporting standards120, wihle a stepped pulley or the like 122 is keyed to the .shaft 118,preferably at its center and between the bearing castings 114, which arespaced to either side of the vertical center of y the frame 98,substantially as is shown in Figure 15. rlhe upper ends of the caissonsor pentstocks-Q may be enclosed by top walls 128, in which case theupper end portions of the shafts 107 will .be passed upwardly throughapertures therein and `upwardly nippled bosses or the like 124 securedon the upper sides of the top walls 123 at the said apertures therein.

As shown in Figure 16, water will be admitted to the caissons orpentstocks97 at the upper ends thereof and at one side ofthe same, andat points below the top walls 123, but above the uppermost sections orgroups or the blades or vanes 110 by means of a flume or raceway 125, orin any other suitable or desired manner, depending upon the location andmanner of the installation of this type of motor with respect to a watersupply.v

Power will be taken from the shaft 118 at the pulley 122 by ineans ofthe wrapping con-- nector or endless belt 126 for any desired purpose oruse.

Without further description, it is thought that the features andadvantages of the invention will be Vreadily apparent to those skilledin the art,v and l understood that changes in the form, proportion andminor details of construction may be f resorted to, without departingfrom the spirit of the invention or its scope as claimed.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In aV device of the class described, an impeller, comprising a shaft,a plurality of vanes arranged in sets, with the vanes of each setdisposed in spaced and reversed angular relation one with respect to theother along said shaft, certain ofthe vanes of each set having portionsof their peripheral edges it will of course be abutting,-andmeans forsecuringthe abutted edge portions together.V Y, v

v -2.j ln adevice of the class described, an impeller, comprising ashaft, plurality of vanes arranged insets with the vanes of each setdisposed in spaced and reversed angular relation one with respect to theother along said shaft, certain of the vanesof eachsetl havingradialedge portions disposed in over'-` lapping relation and abutting attheir outerends and means vfor connecting theabuttedH edgeportionstogether.; f

1n a device of the class described, an impeller comprising a shaft, aplurality of sector shaped vanes arrangedin pairs, with the vanes, ofeach pair disposed inangular relation onewith respect to thevotheralongsaid shaft toform spiral flights of opposite pitch, andmeansinterconnecting said vanes at the adjacent peripheral` edge portionsthereof. 1

4. `In a device of the class described,anim

peller comprising a shaft,a vplurality vof sector shaped vanes arrangedin' pairsand in alternatingangular relation with respect to each otheralong sai'df shaft, the vanesof each pair Vthereof)having Jangularlyarranged radial edge portions disposed in overlapping relation andabutted at their outer ends, means for securing said overlapping radialedge portions together at their points of abutment, and means forinterconnecting the peripheral edge portions of adjacent vanes of eachpair thereof to form a completed rotor unit of two spiral flights ofopposite pitch. l' 5. In a device of the class described, an lmpellercomprising a shaft, a plurality of sector shaped vanes arranged inpairs, with j the vanes of each pair disposed in reverse angularrelation, one with respect to the other, along said shaft, the vanes ofeach pair thereof having angularly arranged edge portions disposed inangular relation and abutted at their outer ends, the arc of curvatureof each of the said vanes being slightly greater than one-third of thecircumference of a circle deiinedby such arc, whereby the active surfaceof each vane will approximate one-third of the area of the definedcircle when the adjacent of the radial edges of the several vanes areoverlapped, and means for securing the adjacent peripheral edges of theoverlapped radial edge portions thereof together.

6. A. rotor for current motors and the like, comprising a shaft, pairsof vanes of sector shape secured on said shaft, one of the vanes of eachpair thereof being arranged inreversed angular relation tothe other, thevanes of one pair being angularly offset about said shaft to placecorner portions of the same in abutting relation to corner portions ofthe vanes of adjacent pairs thereof whereby two spiral vane flights arepresented to the water flow in each revolution of the rotor, and

means for securing the abutted corner portions of the vanes together.

7. A rotor for current motors and the like comprising a shaft, pairs ofsplit castings adapted to be secured about said shaft, reverely angledflanges carried at the ends of the casting parts and vanescarried bysaid flanges.

8. A rotor for current motors and the like comprising a shaft, pairs oflongitudinally split castings adapted to be secured about saidv shaft,reversed angled flanges formed at the ends of the casting parts andVanes carried by said flanges.V

9. A rotor for current motors and the like, comprising a shaft, pairs oflongitudinally split castings adapted to be secured about said shaft,reversely angled flanges formed at adjacent ends of the casting parts,and Vanes carried by said flanges.

10. A rotor for current motors and the like comprising a shaft, pairs oflongitudinally split castings adapted to be secured about Said shaft,reversely anoled flanges formed at one and the same end ofD each of saidcasting parts, and Vanes carried by said flanges.

WILLIAM ROY MORRIS.

